GM takes leave from student transport authority amid school bus driver shortage

The leader of the agency that organizes student transportation for two Ottawa school boards is stepping back from her role, according to a news release issued by the group.

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) announced its general manager Vicky Kyriaco has taken a leave of absence in an email statement in which the authority apologized for the ongoing shortage of drivers.

In a statement Monday, the board of directors said it was notified the general manager/chief administrative officer was taking a leave of absence. The board said it would appoint an interim operations manager "in due course."

"The OSTA Board of Directors would like to takethis opportunity to apologize for the failure to resolve driver shortages, especially in rural communities, before the beginning of the school year," the statement said.

"The last month has been tumultuous and frustrating for parents and students. We use today's news as an opportunity to rebuild our relationship with those in the community who depend on reliable transportation to get to school. In time, we hope to re-earn the trust of parents and students, and we are committed to ensuring this situation never happens again."

The board said it is working with staff to assume all the responsibilities left by the vacant position.

According to her profile on LinkedIn, Kyriacowas inthe role for 12 years.

Parents petitioning to have Kyriaco removed permanently

Osgoode resident Cheri Nixon is part of a parent group that's sending a petition to Queen's Park calling for the Ministry of Education to intervene and have Kyriaco resign.

She hopesschool boards being more directly involved in the management of the bus system will improve communication and lead to concrete action.

"Having that leadership out of the way is going to give the boards the opportunity to make some actual strides and make some changes," Nixon said.

Her 14-year-old daughter was among the 7,600 students who lost bus service when 300 runs serving Ottawa's two English-language school boards were cancelled at the start of the school year.

According to OSTA, aroute can have multiple runs due to staggered start times of schools.

"She goes to Canterbury High School and I've managed to co-ordinate a carpool with three other families," Nixon said. "It's always a challenge because there's a lot of logistics."

In a post on the OSTA website last week, the authority said 94 bus runs have been reinstated.

The post also outlined a series of short- and long-term solutions the agency would be pursuing in the next three months. Those include exploring using coach and OC Transpo buses in school transportation and adjusting school operations where there's the greatest need.